Dec 28, 2021, 8:57 pm
Last edit by: linz36
British Airways Executive Club
UK Based Call Centre Contact Numbers
GGL
0800 408 1111 (from the UK)
+44 207 949 3057 (outside the UK)
Gold
0800 123 111 (from the UK)
+44 191 490 7901 (outside the UK)
Silver
0800 408 0009 (from the UK)
+44 207 949 3065 (outside the UK)
Bronze
0800 597 7580 (from the UK)
+44 (0) 207 949 3086 (outside the UK)
Blue
0844 493 0747 (from the UK)
Calls charged at 7 pence per minute plus your phone company’s access charge. Mobile charges may be higher.
0344 493 0747 (from the UK)
Included in any applicable call packages, otherwise standard landline rates when calling from a UK landline.
Included in talktime and bundled minutes, otherwise standard rates apply when calling from a UK mobile.
+44 207 949 3086 (outside the UK)
Skype +18002479297
International Call Centre Contact Numbers
Spain
+34 910 50 75 50
(Option 1 for Gold, Option 2 for Silver, Bronze and Blue)
1 hour rule
If you are holding for 1 hour you will normally be cut off. Normally, the 1 hour cut-off doesn't happen if you are actually speaking to someone, it's only if you are holding. But if you get through to someone just before the hour, make sure you tell them that you are coming up to the 1 hour point and they will then note your number if you do get cut off and call you back.
Good times to call
The UK lines open at 8am. If you try to get in the queue before 8am you will get a message saying that the call centre is closed, so it's best to dial at exactly 7.58am. The introduction message talking about data policy etc. lasts for just over a minute, so by 8am you should get to the "to change your flight press 1" menu. To change a flight booked with Avios, flight only, the options are 1,1,1 so as soon as your phone says it's 8am, hit the 1,1,1. You probably won't get through immediately but you probably will get through before being cut off at the 1 hour mark.
UK Based Call Centre Contact Numbers
GGL
0800 408 1111 (from the UK)
+44 207 949 3057 (outside the UK)
Gold
0800 123 111 (from the UK)
+44 191 490 7901 (outside the UK)
Silver
0800 408 0009 (from the UK)
+44 207 949 3065 (outside the UK)
Bronze
0800 597 7580 (from the UK)
+44 (0) 207 949 3086 (outside the UK)
Blue
0844 493 0747 (from the UK)
Calls charged at 7 pence per minute plus your phone company’s access charge. Mobile charges may be higher.
0344 493 0747 (from the UK)
Included in any applicable call packages, otherwise standard landline rates when calling from a UK landline.
Included in talktime and bundled minutes, otherwise standard rates apply when calling from a UK mobile.
+44 207 949 3086 (outside the UK)
Skype +18002479297
International Call Centre Contact Numbers
Spain
+34 910 50 75 50
(Option 1 for Gold, Option 2 for Silver, Bronze and Blue)
1 hour rule
If you are holding for 1 hour you will normally be cut off. Normally, the 1 hour cut-off doesn't happen if you are actually speaking to someone, it's only if you are holding. But if you get through to someone just before the hour, make sure you tell them that you are coming up to the 1 hour point and they will then note your number if you do get cut off and call you back.
Good times to call
The UK lines open at 8am. If you try to get in the queue before 8am you will get a message saying that the call centre is closed, so it's best to dial at exactly 7.58am. The introduction message talking about data policy etc. lasts for just over a minute, so by 8am you should get to the "to change your flight press 1" menu. To change a flight booked with Avios, flight only, the options are 1,1,1 so as soon as your phone says it's 8am, hit the 1,1,1. You probably won't get through immediately but you probably will get through before being cut off at the 1 hour mark.
Current Status of BA Call Center
Dec 16, 2021, 6:07 am
#526
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: The Garden of England
Programs: BA Silver AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 661
After trying to get through for a few days to UUA on a BAH booking finally got through by calling the Silver line at 0800 and waited around five minutes. Of course the F seat had gone by then ggrrrr.
Was able to change my last leg back to a LGW departure while I was on the phone so not a total loss.
Spike
Was able to change my last leg back to a LGW departure while I was on the phone so not a total loss.
Spike
Dec 16, 2021, 6:27 am
#527
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Naples, FL
Posts: 166
I got passed from pillar to post several times on this. The 'cash booking' people will tell you that it is an Avios booking and the 'Avios people' will tell you it is a cash booking and each can't do it. Got it done on both occasions (both to the India call center) by 'banging the table' but it's a crapshoot. I won't book cash and upgrade with Avios again if there is any chance of my cancelling the booking.
Dec 16, 2021, 11:22 am
#529
Join Date: Oct 2018
Programs: BAEC Gold, IHG Platinum, ALL Gold, Bonvoy Gold Elite, HHonors Gold
Posts: 384
Dec 16, 2021, 3:20 pm
#535
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Lincoln UK
Posts: 363
The 1hr cut-off is atrocious, and the experience could have been improved immeasurably if they would just announce expected wait times (a callback feature to hold your place in the queue would be even better). I just can't fathom why they haven't upgraded their IT systems and contact centre platform. They would easily been able to do so in since the pandemic started.
I just got an engaged tone when ringing the US line - now ringing You First in the off chance they'll help me. 15 mins and counting...
I just got an engaged tone when ringing the US line - now ringing You First in the off chance they'll help me. 15 mins and counting...
Dec 16, 2021, 3:56 pm
#537
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Lincoln UK
Posts: 363
Just to report back - rang You First - got through to someone who identified the line as the GGL line after about 20 mins. He apologised for the issue I had contacting the US line and sorted my change out no problem. I'm now very excitedly looking forward to my first ever First experience....
Dec 16, 2021, 11:18 pm
#539
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Toronto
Programs: BA Exec Club - Demoted to Bronze and re-promoted to Silver alongside AC Elite 50K (gold) in 2022
Posts: 393
we tried to get through to the call center from Toronto. 4 days we tried getting cut off at 59:59 minutes every time. If we were on at 1959, we got the sorry we're closed. The one time I got through, at 1940 with 20 mins to cancel the avios flights, when the call go to 59:59, i got cut off with a cry around the house of "Nooooooooooooo" We tried the virtual assistant and were promised we'd be got back to within 24 hours. (we weren't)
Finally, right at the bottom of the homepage (I think) is the tiny icon and words, try our virtual assistant. We were finally connected to someone who was helpful but wouldn't refund the avois and taxed as they hadn't made the booking even through they were the head of the household account.
On sunday, we even had three phones going at 20 min intervals so as one was cut off, two others were on hold and we'd ring again. With three people on three phones on speaker or headphones, we ended up doing a group rendition including harmony of the Flower Duet. Around 6 to 8 hours a day between us for four days. This the worse experience with BA call centers who have been brilliant in the past but this was a new low.
To be so unprepared in the run up to christmas, knowing another wave was likely and STILL be short staffed is unbelievable. And to add insult to injury, I couldn't access my exec club due to upgrades - what muppet, decided the run up to christmas in pandemic to do software upgrades.
We booked the avois flight by phone as it was a multicenter trip, and in the 20 months of covid, improved self service where we could cancel 4 flights in what on the face of it appears a simple action - has BA used the time wisely to facilitate more PAXs doing it online to relieve the call centers.
Earlier in the week, I cancelled car hire with Argos in Ireland. Three clicks, two confirmattion emails 2 mins later for the hire and the insurance from a seperate company came through. Is it really too hard for BA to work out?
PS -v i feel like taking up the hour on the looped "we're sorry" that trading stanards could penalise BA for blatant false advertising on hold
Finally, right at the bottom of the homepage (I think) is the tiny icon and words, try our virtual assistant. We were finally connected to someone who was helpful but wouldn't refund the avois and taxed as they hadn't made the booking even through they were the head of the household account.
On sunday, we even had three phones going at 20 min intervals so as one was cut off, two others were on hold and we'd ring again. With three people on three phones on speaker or headphones, we ended up doing a group rendition including harmony of the Flower Duet. Around 6 to 8 hours a day between us for four days. This the worse experience with BA call centers who have been brilliant in the past but this was a new low.
To be so unprepared in the run up to christmas, knowing another wave was likely and STILL be short staffed is unbelievable. And to add insult to injury, I couldn't access my exec club due to upgrades - what muppet, decided the run up to christmas in pandemic to do software upgrades.
We booked the avois flight by phone as it was a multicenter trip, and in the 20 months of covid, improved self service where we could cancel 4 flights in what on the face of it appears a simple action - has BA used the time wisely to facilitate more PAXs doing it online to relieve the call centers.
Earlier in the week, I cancelled car hire with Argos in Ireland. Three clicks, two confirmattion emails 2 mins later for the hire and the insurance from a seperate company came through. Is it really too hard for BA to work out?
PS -v i feel like taking up the hour on the looped "we're sorry" that trading stanards could penalise BA for blatant false advertising on hold
Dec 17, 2021, 6:22 am
#540
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: LHR / LAS
Programs: BA GfL, GGL/CCR
Posts: 2,409
Just called the ggl 0800 number and the recorded message said the guest list line was very busy and said to call back later. Then it hung up.
Never had that before.
EDIT to add.
Called back twice, same cut off. Third time was not cut off. Maybe just a blip.
Never had that before.
EDIT to add.
Called back twice, same cut off. Third time was not cut off. Maybe just a blip.